The 2026 Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, has signalled an expectation that secondary schools develop their capacity to become more inclusive by design to ensure that additional needs are met within mainstream settings.
Throughout the last two academic years, the Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) team of Education, Health and Voluntary Sector Organisations have worked together with Headteachers, SENCOs and other school leaders in primary settings across Derbyshire. School self-assessment and data was used by multi-discipline professional teams and parent carer engagement in order to provide over 30 hours of tailored universal and targeted training, coaching and support alongside the ordinarily available Inclusion Support Services offer.
The following impact data above shows just how successful the approach has been, and we are proud that our model has been included as a case study in the recently published DfE Experts at Hand guidance.
- 83% reduction in Permanent Exclusions
- Suspensions reduced by 42%
- Significant improvements in attendance
The greatest impacts were shown in schools where the Headteacher was actively involved throughout the project; attending professional development sessions, building on current expertise and practice, and working alongside other senior leaders to embed practice throughout their school setting.
We are now offering this free project to all Derbyshire secondary school settings, whether maintained or members of a MAT, as a practical mechanism to develop capacity to deliver the following priorities set out in the White Paper:
- Strengthen your universal offer
- Inform Inclusion strategies
- Build workplace confidence and expertise
- Support early identification and graduated response to need
- Strengthen co-production and family engagement
- Support the development of Inclusion Bases and an inclusive culture throughout your school
Invitations to briefing sessions will be shared with Secondary Heads and SENCOs. We will deliver briefings at these dates and times:
- Thursday 10 September, 10 to 10:45am
- Monday 14 September, 1:30 to 2:15pm
Read more about the ISS ND Offer for 2026 to 2027 by visiting:
Derbyshire Local Offer - Neurodiversity (ND) Offer 2026 to 2027
The success of the programme is also reflected in the following feedback we received from those who have taken part. Participants highlighted the practical support, increased confidence and positive changes to inclusive practice within their settings.
"Using examples of lived experience was powerful in shifting staff thinking."
"Helped us to consider how we can use the space in school more effectively."
"Staff who have been resistant to change have seen the benefits to this."
"We're now thinking much more strategically - what is the impact on our ND community and how can we improve that?"
"It was so useful to learn from and network with other schools that were present."
"The delivery of learning helped us to make small changes that had a long-term impact."
"Staff have now realised that inclusion doesn't look the same for everyone and they now have the skills to create provision."
"Previously we'd only react when a child was at crisis point. Now we're more proactive about provision."